Jul 2, 2026, 5:59 AM

Recently I was sorting through some of my bird photo backlog, and realized I hadn't shared these photos of a dear little Northern House Wren couple I saw near their nest hole last summer!

One bird does a wingbeat display to attract the mate's attention. Then it offers the moth as a gift to the mate, who takes it but offers it back so they both hold it before it is finally accepted.

CN: dead moth

#CentralOR #BirdPhotography #WrensDay

A little wren perching on a branch and holding out a moth in his beak. His belly is very pale, and in fact his back and face are a rather light brown. His eyes are slitted closed as he holds his wings out to either side in a little wingbeat display to attract his mate's attention.

A slightly darker, warmer brown wren has perched to the right of the first, her wings held out. The first has made room and turned toward her with the moth in his beak.

Both wrens lean forward so they are both holding onto the moth in a little spot of sunshine. The assumed female on the right has the suggestion of a face stripe as part of her more vivid plumage. If you think the gift of a moth is romantic, it is easy to see the little leaning creatures as very romantic indeed!

The browner bird has accepted the moth, and the pale bird looks on, perching comfortably. Another courtship gesture completed: the busy life of an early summer Northern House Wren!